19 NOVEMBER 1898, Page 27

Under the Laburnums. By Emma Marshall. (J. Nisbet and Co.)

—When a single lady who is so little "up to date" as to write," I do not often come to London, but I suppose that I shall find a fly at the station," takes charge of a young lady of spirit, with a taste for amusing herself, it is likely that there will be trouble. Mrs. Marshall tells a story of this kind very well ; she has sympathy, which goes out in more ways than one. It is difficult to keep in one's mind an estimate of her numerous books, so numerous that she must be establishing a record, but we have the impression that for delicacy of touch and naturalness Under the Laburnums ought to rank high.